[ACM]

Airbags are today not as expensive as they are made out to be and adding another 4/6 to the existing 2 would cost just about Rs. 50-70k at the most. (Curtain and side Airbags being added.)

They do not cost an addtional 3L as we are made to believe.

[R17]

Originally Posted by fuel_addict

What hurts most is that there isn't even an option available for those who are willing to shell out more for the added airbags or other safety features. Would be nice if we were able to "customize" the car at the time of booking. And by customization, I mean opting for safety features that cannot be fitted after-market.

The Swift Diesel for example has no airbags/rear defogger option on the highest variant (VDi). A classic case of "diesel drivers don't need safety" attitude by the manufacturers. If the DZire can have a ZDi, why not the Swift?

My sentiment precisely. I just wish there was an option. If consumers dont want it, they wont buy it. and for those of us who do, Chevy can charge them an appropriate premium for the efforts taken and accounting for the dis-economies of scale. Even if it means, itll be a special order for the select few and will take more time for delivery, its an option. For instance, the Laura L&K costs a good 2 L extra to come loaded with 4 extra airbags and a ton of other accessories and features.

Im well aware that this may not make much economic sense for the manufacturers for an audience like India and the efforts may not be commensurate with the translation into sales, but here's my point - you dont stand to lose any money on it, you build a loyal clientele amongst the more educated consumers and above all, you offer the consumer a genuine option for something which is of paramount importance.

Also, as someone suggested maybe we could write to the company - unfortunately GM's site only lists an email id for its marketing office, which i feel may not be the right avenue for this plea. Would anyone know of the coordinates of someone more appropriate in GM ?

Lastly, @mods - 2 requests - can we edit the title and make it 'A Chevrolet Cruze with 4 / 8 additional airbags & ESP. Why not?' And can we add the aforementioned Poll - it would help. Thanks.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by thedreamcatcher

Airbags are very costly and getting 8 'EIGHT', and ESP for 1L, is asking for way way too much at a very little price.

You'd be surprised at the price manufacturers buy OEM parts for. I can tell you that 6 additional airbags & ESP will cost a lot less than 1 lakh rupees.

Originally Posted by sajands

Most of people dont need airbags and pay more attention to the cost

Forget airbags, I've seen people shying away from even ABS!

Originally Posted by fuel_addict

Would be nice if we were able to "customize" the car at the time of booking.

Customisation breaks a regular assembly line and is very expensive.

The Swift Diesel for example has no airbags/rear defogger option on the highest variant (VDi).

Talk about a lousy attitude! I don't get why manufacturers feel that the life of diesel car owners is any less valuable. In the recent past we have Nissan - a brand that offered airbags even on the base Micra - take away the passenger airbag & ABS from the diesel Micra. Shocking if you ask me.

[superboy44]

You'd be surprised at the price manufacturers buy OEM parts for. I can tell you that 6 additional airbags & ESP will cost a lot less than 1 lakh rupees

Hyundai provided 4 additional airbags in the i20 asta(o) variant at a very meager price difference of Rs20k, so addition further more airbags and ESP should be pretty much possible within a reasonable price difference among variants

Forget airbags, I've seen people shying away from even ABS!

i was asked by my relative to avoid a car with airbags as they would cost a bomb to put right if they open,
i told him that it might save your life if they deployed.
whats more important life or money?
still he was adamant that it was just an added unnecessary expense.

[thedreamcatcher]

To be very honest, things like seat belts, seat belt pre-tensioners, air bags, ESP, ABS are supposed to basic safety features. Even features like fog lamps, rear wash / wipe and de-mister. However, these are touted as premium features here and the cost factor is added. Hence multiple variants like one with nothing, one with fog, one with fog and rear wipe, and the next with all three

Come on, these are not luxury features, but meant to protect life. Imagine a situation where two cars of the same brand driving in the rain / fog. One a lower variant and the other a top spec. The top guy, because he paid more, can drive safely and his life is more secure, but the guy with a lower budget suffers as he cannot see the road up ahead, cant see anything out of the rear. But his car has some feature like a twin glove box, or MP3/4/5 player, a tray under his seat, but not something that can probably save his life

As GTO mentioned, the price at what the manufacturers pick up x number of airbags, is far less than what they charge the end consumer.